Severus Snape, Harry Potter Stalkers, and the Complex Nature of Love in Fantasy

In the vast

Hanline 1: Harry Potter Stalkers

In the vast Harry Potter fandom, one can often observe a common narrative where fans question why so many fans label Severus Snape as a stalker, just because he still had feelings for Lily Evans long after the events of the Snape Whisky Mentality (SWM). However, it's worth noting that there was no canon stalking present in Severus's actions. Conversely, one may wonder, why nobody mentions James Potter as a stalker, given that he was a known user of the Marauders Map, a tool inherently designed for tracking.

When it comes to James Potter, the Marauders Map was generally used to track the movements of teachers and prefects to execute their pranks. There is no evidence that the Marauders, including James, ever used the map to monitor a person, especially Lily. In fact, Lily Potter's concern about James's feelings for her was a significant part of the storyline, and James's pranks were often aimed at preventing her from being taken away by her sister, Petunia, rather than targeting her personally.

Hanline 2: Fueling the Perception

However, when it comes to Severus Snape, the narrative takes a different turn. There is a significant amount of evidence suggesting that Snape was indeed behaved in an obsessive manner towards Lily. He watched her from a young age, attempted to separate her from her sister, and stole a broken picture of her to maintain a connection with her even after her marriage and child. The very fact that he was aware of James's feelings for Lily, despite her apparent indifference, speaks volumes about his obsession with her.

Even after Lily's death, Severus's actions continued to be indicative of a deep obsession. He stole snippets of her life, including a letter and picture. His patronus took the form of a snake, much like Lily's, suggesting a deep connection beyond friendship. While his actions could be seen as romantic, they could also be interpreted as stalking. The combination of gratitude, friendship, unrequited love, unending guilt, and the devastation of loss were all factors in Severus's behavior.

Hanline 3: The Stalker Debate

The question then arises: was Severus Snape a stalker or simply someone deeply in love? The answer may depend on personal interpretation. Those who view the relationship as a potential romance might see Snape's actions as a result of complex emotions. On the other hand, those who see his actions as detrimental might label him as a stalker. Either way, it is undeniable that his behavior was indeed obsessive and reminiscent of stalking.

Hanline 4: James Potter's Perspective

Turning to James Potter's actions, his use of the Marauders Map was more akin to monitoring for pranks and mischief rather than any personal tracking. There is no evidence of him using the map to monitor individuals. In fact, the map was primarily a tool for creating mischief and evading detention, rather than a tool for tracking.

Therefore, it is clear that while both characters exhibited obsessive behavior towards Lily, only Severus's actions are often seen as stalker-like. This highlights the importance of considering context and intent when labeling actions as stalking. While James's actions do not align with the classic definition of stalking, Severus's behavior does, making the label of stalker more appropriate in his case.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is important to acknowledge the complex emotions Severus Snape may have experienced, his actions in the Harry Potter universe often align more closely with stalking than romantic love. On the other hand, James Potter's use of the Marauders Map was primarily for pranks and mischief, negating the possibility of him being labeled as a stalker. This highlights the importance of context in understanding and interpreting such behavior within the context of literature and fantasy.